Boosting your inner jet engine.
I'm always keen to apply principles from other fields to my coaching work; making connections with what I see in other industries and relating them to behavioural principles all extends my ability to engage with clients. Analogies help us to "see" when dry science and straight forward facts and definitions can lack appeal! Most of us know what we need to do and as I have said over and over in my blogs - we are not lacking information! What we are lacking are application skills. As a behaviour analyst this is our area of expertise - teaching and training and maximising efficient and effective evidence based strategies that enable behaviour change processes to last. Getting client buy-in can be a struggle, and sometimes a great analogy can bowl someone over and make behaviour change enticing and achievable!
I have a passion for classic cars and often make connections between fuelling a car and how we fuel ourselves and this mushroomed into the concept of fuel injection and increased engine performance. I was doing a bit of basic research and up popped afterburners. If any of you are jet engine experts please forgive my humble efforts. I was intrigued by the idea of bolstering flagging enthusiasm and enhancing performance in any area of our lives. So many of us are struggling right now with uncertainty on a grand scale. I pondered how behavioural science and jet engine technology might help?
The afterburner provides the extra jet engine thrust generated at times when most needed, such as take off. The extended exhaust system contains fuel injectors that are ignited when the after-burner is turned on. As always the pay off for this extra thrust is increased fuel consumption and other limitations such as intermittent use and compatibility with certain types of engine. In relation to behavioural science I likened the engine to our values and passions and goals; the extended exhaust system is our plan or mission. The afterburner is most akin to a highly valued and unsustainable reinforcer; due to its size, occurrence within a limited time frame or series of events, or its general scarcity; it has a limited life span.
So what might qualify as a human afterburner during these challenging times when we might need that extra thrust to get us out of a spiral of negativity and back on track to our mission?
Here are some possible examples that demonstrate a similarity to the afterburner - they may be unsustainable, expensive and possibly short lived but can provide a much needed thrust to get you through the tough times. Remember also that which ever afterburner you choose, it must be compatible with your mission or goals!
joining a network or support group - these groups tend to have a short but often effective life span that is directly related to the issues you are experiencing. The group may not function as well after you have managed the issue and as with the afterburner, their intermittent use is helpful but quickly wanes and may even hinder long term progress.
taking a complete break or holiday that costs you more than you would normally spend - it is important to make it compatible with your "engine" or it may not have the impact you want! So consider what will work as an effective break for you - if you don't like sitting on a beach relaxing the holiday may literally back fire!
technology break for a couple of days to detox - remove the phone and internet from your days and get back to basics - sit outside, walk on the grass, be free - this in and of itself isn't costly but taking time out from your work and business might be! Sometimes you have to stop to go forward -consider minimising loss by planning ahead with an auto-responder on your email for example
spending money on you - buy that expensive item you've always wanted value yourself and feel good about it - this isn't about being flashy or extravagant or reckless - it's about acknowledging you are able to spend money on you - again this has to be compatible with your "engine" or who you are - so buying an expensive branded item of clothing when you never wear branded clothes, probably won't help!
Whatever strategy you attempt - treating it as an experiment will often help lighten the intensity and allow you to be more objective about the outcome. What have you learnt from trialling this idea? What would you change next time? What could you add next time? What would you remove next time?
All too often our flagging enthusiasm is not a character flaw or a fault on our part, it is simply a reminder that our undertaking needs more fuel and thrust. That added "afterburner" might be all it takes to lift you off and rocket you through the tough times!
If you're wanting to explore how behavioural coaching can create positive experiences of change, do email me info@katewinchester.co.nz
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